Article supporting apparatus



April 12, 1966 w. 'r. LAMPMAN 3,245,742

ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l wz ,1 4 w April 12, 1966 w. 'r. LAMPMAN 3,245,742

ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g- United States Patent 3,245,742 ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS William T. Lampman, St. Paul Park, Minn., assignor to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 26, 1963. Ser. No. 304,371 3 Claims. (Cl. 312304) .This invention relates to a dishwasher or similar apparatus.

Certain types of mechanical dishwashers have tubs or vats in which the dishes are located during the washing operation and which are closed by a top opening lid. In general the receptacle has one rack or basket near the bottom and other supporting means adjacent the top with the washing operation being performed on dishes and the like at both areas simultaneously.

One of the difiiculties of a top opening dishwasher or the like of this nature is in providing adequate access to the bottom supporting rack or basket without sacrificing dish supporting area at the top. This invention successfully solves this problem by providing ready access to the bottom of the dishwasher receptacle and at the same time providing a full area of dish supporting means at the top of the receptacle.

One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for a receptacle of the nature of a top loading dishwasher which provides ready access through the top to the bottom portion of the receptacle without sacrifice of top loading capacity.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a top loading dishwasher embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of the dishwasher illustrating the arrangement of the shelf means in an overlying relationship;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of a dishwasher having a modified form of shelf support means embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

In the embodiment of .the drawings the dishwasher is provided with side walls 11 defining a receptacle or vat 12. The dishwasher 10 is open at the top for top loading but is normally closed by a lid 13 movable about a hinge structure 14. The dishwasher may be moved from place to place on the supporting floor 15 by means of dishwasher supporting wheels 16.

Located adjacent the bottom of the receptacle 12 is a rack or basket 17 for supporting dishes (not shown) during a washing operation. Beneath the basket 17 is a rotatable spray arm 18 which simultaneously rotates and sprays liquid up through the interior of the receptacle 12 during the washing operation. Immediately beneath the spray arm 18 is an electric resistance heater 19. The basket 17, spray arm 18 and heater 19 are conventional types.

Above the basket 17 are located first shelf means 20 in the form of a basket extending across a first fractional portion of the receptacle 12 between opposite side walls 11 and a second shelf means 21 in the form of a wire supporting grid. Supporting means for the first shelf means 20 are provided, here illustrated by the side tracks 22 located on opposite side walls 11. These tracks support the first shelf means 20 for movement in a first path between the other opposite side walls 23. Also provided are second side tracks 24 beneath the first tracks 22 for 3,245,742 Patented Apr. 12, 1966 "ice supporting the second shelf means 21 in a second path spaced beneath the first path. This vertical spacing of the side tracks 22 and 24 permit independent movement of each shelf means 20 and 21 Without interference from the other.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 the tracks 22 and 24 are formed from a single member 25 of which only one is illustrated, with track portions 22 and 24 of member 25 being of generally inwardly extending step-shaped cross section.

In order to permit movement of the shelf means 20 and 21, the first shelf means 20' is provided with supporting members such as wheels 26 riding on the first side tracks 22 while the second shelf means 21 is provided with similar side supporting members such as wheels 27 riding on the tops of the second side tracks 24. This arrangement permits spacing the sides of the second shelf means 21 inwardly of the first tracks 22 so that the shelf means 20 and 21 may be moved backwardly and forwardly on their tracks independently of each other and Without interference therefrom. Furthermore, each shelf means 20 and 21 may be lifted upwardly from the receptacle 12 when desired.

Both shelf means 20 and 21 can be moved rearwardly on their respective side tracks to superposed positions as shown in FIGURE 2. When so moved the lower rack or basket 17 may be supplied with dishes or the like through the exposed opening. Then, when both shelf means are moved to the opposite or front of the receptacle, dishes and the like may be inserted into the bottom rack 17 through a rear opening. Then, when the shelf means 20 and 21 are moved to opposite positions, as shown in FIGURE 1, the combination of the two shelf means extends completely across the interior of the receptacle 12 and these shelf means can themselves be used to support dishes and the like.

As shown, the lower or second shelf means 21 contains no upwardly extending members except the rear wire guard 30. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower shelf 21 does not interfere with movement of the upper or first shelf means 20. The second or lower shelf means 21 in this instance acts as a service shelf on which articles may be placed fiat. However, the second shelf means 21 may be formed with upwardly extending members and the first shelf means 20 could be formed to nest with the second shelf means 21 if so desired.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 wherein a dishwasher generally designated is provided with side walls 111 defining a receptacle or vat 112 generally similar to vat 12. A first shelf means similar to first shelf means 20 of dishwasher 10 is movably carried on a track 122 by means of wheels 126. Further, a second shelf mean-s 121 similar to second shelf means 21 of dishwasher 10 is movably carried on track 122 by means of wheels 127. As shown in FIGURE 4, the left side wheels 127' of the shelf means 121 are disposed intermediate the left and right wheels 126 of the first shelf 120 to permit free movement of the second shelf 121 independent of the first shelf means 120 for a distance along the track 122 equal to the spacing between the wheels 126. Thus, the apparatus of FIGURES 4 and 5 is similar to that of FIG- URES 1 through 3 except that the wheels of the second shelf means are carried on the same track as those of the first shelf means for movement in a single, common path, while yet free independent movement of the two shelf means is permitted.

Having described my invention as related to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified,

but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a receptacle of the nature of a dishwasher having side walls, article supporting apparatus comprising: first shelf means extending across a first fractional portion of said receptacle between said side walls; second shelf means extending across a second fractional portion of said receptacle between said side walls; means for supporting said first shelf means for movement in a preselected path between opposite side walls; and means for supporting said second shelf means for movement in'said path independent of said first shelf means between said opposite side walls.

2. In a receptacle of the nature of a dishwasher having side walls, article supporting apparatus comprising: first shelf means extending across a first fractional portion of said receptacle between said side walls; second shelf means extending across a second fractional portion of said receptacle between said side walls; a track extending substantially between said side walls; wheel means on said first shelf means for supporting said first shelf means onsaid track for movement in a preselected path between side walls; and wheel means on said second shelf means for supporting said second shelf means on said track for movement in said path independent of said first shelf means between said opposite side walls.

3.v In a receptacle of the nature of a dishwasher having side walls, article supporting apparatus comprising: first shelf means extending across a first fractional portion of said receptacle between said side walls; second shelf means extending across a second fractional portion of said receptacle between said side walls; a track extending substantially between said side walls; wheel means on said first shelf means for supporting said first shelf means on said track for movement in a preselected path between side walls; and wheel means on said second shelf means for supporting said secon'dshelf means on said track for movement in said path independent of said first shelf means between said opposite side walls, said wheel means on said first shelf means including a pair of wheel-s engaging said track at spaced positions, and said wheel means on said second shelf means including a wheel engaging said track at a position intermediate said spaced positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS- 1,978',565 10/1934 Cocks et al 312-304 X 2,684,277 7/1954 Hamacher 3l2290 2,721,780 10/1955 Peterson et a1 312304 3,072,452 1/1963 Sleeper 312-311 X CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A RECEPTACLE OF THE NATURE OF A DISHWASHER HAVING SIDE WALLS, ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS COMPRISING: FIRST SHELF MEANS EXTENDING ACROSS A FIRST FRACTIONAL PORTION OF SAID RECEPTACLE BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS; SECOND SHELF MEANS EXTENDING ACROSS A SECOND FRACTIONAL PORTION OF SAID RECEPTACLE BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID FIRST SHELF MEANS FOR MOVEMENT IN A PRESELECTED PATH BETWEEN OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS; AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID SECOND SHELF MEANS FOR MOVEMENT IN SAID PATH INDEPENDENT OF SAID FIRST SHELF MEANS BETWEEN SAID OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS. 